Imperfect Desires

236 That I Also Know

It didn't take Xiu to remember that she had spoken so outrageously with Dylan right before his mother. She took a sneaky glance at Zhao Wei's face before burying her face in her food bowl in embarrassment. She certainly didn't regret talking like that to Dylan but she did regret doing it when his mother was right there.

However, she was taken aback when she heard Zhao Wei's soft laughter before she felt a hand on her head. Xiu turned her face slightly and looked at Zhao Wei in question. "It's funny how you're reminding me of some people."

A line appeared between Xiu's brows as she looked at her in confusion. That's when she heard Darren's voice asking, "Doesn't it? I also thought the way these two fight looks oddly familiar."

Zhao Wei nodded her head and laughed out, "Oh my gosh! That's exactly what I mean."

"Ma, what do you mean?" questioned Dylan and as his brows creased up, he added, "Don't tell me, you both think that she and I argue like dad and uncle Zi." Both Darren and Zhao Wei shared a look before nodding their head simultaneously in reply. Dylan scoffed at their reaction, "Oh please! Dad and uncle Zi are best of friends. She and I are the worst of enemies!"

"Aww..." Zhao Wei's reaction seemed forced before she rolled her eyes at her son and said, "My dearest son, if after all these years you still don't have any clue that your dad and Zi once had been the worst of enemies, then what have you been doing?"

"What?" Dylan's reaction was dramatic as always. "Why would they be enemies? I thought they were like brothers. Wasn't it uncle Zi who helped your and dad's wedding when you both cut your ties with your respective families?"

Zhao Wei sighed out as she looked lost in memories of old times, "What you're saying is also true. If it hadn't been for Zi, your and dad I would have never been together till today. But it's also true that once upon a time, they both hated the sight of each other. They had such a cold-hot relationship that they could go for months ignoring each other but only a single thing'd be able to trigger them to the point of being at each other's throat. Haiz! Those were some golden times."

Xiu didn't know who exactly they were talking about but she enjoyed the stories. This was the dinner scene that she had never experienced in both lives. Even though Nora had a pretty loving family, Xiu still could tell the difference between these two families.

At Nora's home, dinner had been simple. Everyone would talk and all; more like a formal setting. Also, since Nora's family rarely had a chance to gather. Because both her parents were always busy with work. But here everyone was teasing each other. For instance, whenever Zhao Wei would place more food in Darren's bowl, Dylan would start scowling and vice versa. This was the first time she had seen someone fighting for attention in this way. It was refreshing in its own way but mostly it showed how close they were. Because the dinner wasn't quiet at all.

After dinner, Dylan dragged his best friend to a side to discuss something while Xiu followed Zhao Wei to the kitchen. "Let me help me you with this," she offered.

Zhao Wei smiled at her affectionately and shook her head saying, "You don't have to. Tonight, you're my guest. I don't want my guest to work. But when you come next time, I won't be being this polite." Xiu raised her brow, not understanding her meaning. "Next time, I'll be treating you as a daughter and order you around." She rubbed Xiu's head lovingly and added, "Besides, daughters-in-law are also daughters. So, I won't be formal with you. But let me act like a host for this time."

Xiu didn't know why but her words touched her heart deeply. Unknowingly, Xiu nodded her head showing her agreement. Later, Zhao Wei instructed the maid to clean up and took Xiu to the lounge. As they sat together, Zhao Wei started, "So, Xiao Xiu... Oh, you don't mind me calling you Xiao Xiu, right?" Xiu shook her head. "Then that's good. Anyways, tell me something about yourself. All I know about you is from other people. Either from Regan or Hedi. I believe that's how they see you but I want to know you."

Xiu was tongue-tied for a moment. It was quite rare for people to ask her this question and mostly, she didn't even know how to answer. Because her mind would be confused whether to reply as Chen Xiu or Bai Xiu?

"Umm... I don't know what to say," replied Xiu while she looked at her hands in her lap sheepishly. Zhao Wei didn't want to push her and was about to drop the topic when she saw Xiu's discomfort but Xiu spoke again on her own, "I'm Bai Xiu. I'm 23 years old. Currently, working as the E.A for Dylan Qiu. But I guess you know all about this."

Zhao Wei nodded her head, "I do know this."

With a tinge of sadness looming around her eyes, she continued, "Then let me tell you what you might not know about me." She took a long and deep breath before adding, "I'm an orphan. Well, kind of." Zhao Wei's brow quirked up at her odd choice of words. "I mean, my mother is no more and as for my father, I don't know him. So, I believe he's no more as well. After my mother died, my best friend's parents adopted me and I had been a part of their family since then." As Xiu looked up, she saw Zhao Wei's eyes scrutinizing her face and her heart dropped as she said, "I guess I am not as special as you might have heard."

Zhao Wei pinched her cheeks again saying, "Not special? If you managed to make my Regan open his heart for you, then how can you be ordinary? And even if you're an ordinary person, what's wrong with that? I was once an ordinary one as well. Then I found myself an 'extra'." Seeing her air-quoting, Xiu was dumbfounded. Zhao Wei laughed at her adorable expression as she said, "What I mean is, I found my husband, who is 'extra' like his son. But who cares?" She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, "That 'extra' of mine, makes me complete and together, we become extraordinary."

Xiu was in awe at how she weaved her words and stared at Zhao Wei in fascination. "If you're ordinary, don't worry. So what even if Regan is also ordinary? What matters is that the love between you two is extraordinary." She did a 180 turn adding, "But let me clear this, my Regan is anything but ordinary."

Xiu smiled at her words and said, "That I also know."

"Oh, I can tell that you know. I can see it in your eyes." Zhao Wei's knowing way made Xiu blush a little.Please go to